PREVALENCE OF RBD CELL ALLOIMMUNIZATION IN REPEATEDLY

TRANSFUSBD PATIENTS WITH B- THALASSEMIA IN SOLAPUR DISTRICT,

MAHARASHTRA STATE, INDIA.
**,
****,
Nikam S. A.*, Dama S. B.*, Saraf S. A. Jawale C. J.***o Kirdak R. V.
*o
Chondekar R. P.*, Patil S. S. Deshmukh P. S.*, Shaikh F. I.#, and Dama L. B.##
*Department
of Zoology, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University,
Aurangabad. 413001 (M.S.) India.
**Department
of Zoology, Government College of Arts and Science, Aurangabad, (M.S.) India
Department of Zoology, HPT Arts and RYK Science College, Nashik-422005.
****Directorate
of Higher Education, Maharashtra State, Pune -1 (M.S.).
*Department
of Pathology, Al-Ameen Medical College, Bijapur, Karnataka lndia
**Department
of Zoology, Government Rajaram College, Kolhapur (M.S.)
#Department
of Zoology, Milliya College, Beed - 431122, Maharashtra, India
##Department
of Zoology, D.B.F. Dayanand College of Arts and Science, Solapur-431002 (M.S.)
Key words: Alloimmunization, Red-Cell Antibodies, Beta Thalassemia, Splenectomy
Abstract :
B-major-thalassemia is a congenital hemolyic anemia caused by defects in B-globin chain
synthesis. The globin chain that is produced in excess is responsible for the ineffective
erythropoiesis and shortened red blood cell (RBC) survival. The present study includes the
prevalence of red cell alloimmunization in repeatedly transfused patients with B- Thalassemia in
Solapur District, Maharashtra, India. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted over
one year period from January 2010 to December 2010 at Smt. Gopabai Damani Blood Bank
(Indian Red Cross Society) Solapur, Maharashtra, India. A total of 74 Thalassemia patients
receiving multiple blood transfusions at interuals of 2 to 4 weeks, or who had received at least
20 transfusions, were included in this study. The diagnosis of Thalassemia was confirmed by
patient's standard hemoglobin electrophoresis Reports Clinical transfusion records of 74
Thalassemia patients who fulfilled the criteria were analyzed for the presence of alloimmunization, their antibody specificity and the time interval of RBC immunization from start
of transfusion. Ethnic background, status of splenectomy, age at start of transfusion and the
number of blood units received were also recorded.
Laboratory investigations using standard blood bank methods, serum was analyzed prior to each
transfusion to detect new antibodies to RBC antigens. All pre transfusion sera were also tested
to determine their phenotype for the following blood group systems: ABO; Rhesus (D, C, E, c,
and e); Kell (K, k), Kidd (Kpa, Kpb) and Duffy (Fya, Fyb). Clinical and laboratory data were

collected and analyzed to find out the frequency, pattern and factors influencing red cell
immunization secondary to multiple blood transfusions in these patients.

Introduction:
Alloimmunity is a condition in which the body gains immunity, from another individual of the
same species, against the foreign cells. Antibodies must be identified in the recipient's serum
before each transfusion so that compatible blood can be provided. Several factois might have
contributed to this finding, such as the heterogeneity of the population, the difference in the
number of studied patients, the differences in age at first transfusion, antigenic differences
between the blood donor and the recipient; the recipient's immune status; and immunomodulatory
effects of the allogenic blood transfusions on the recipient's immune system and splenectomy. In
1989 Walker et al., pointed out the Alloimmunization by blood transfusion. Sirchia et al., (1995)
Proceeding of the National-Level Workshop cum Seminar on "Bio-Resources for Bio-Industries and
Economic Zoology",lanuary- 2011, Solapur, Maharashtra, INDIA. ISBN 81-903603.6-1
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'tgr'

studied the

w*w
/)
(2003)
Gettings
Blumberg
and
majo/patients.
in
thalasp6mia
Red cell alloantlbodies

find out that the WBC reduction of RBC transfusions is associated with decreased incidence of
RBC alloimmunization. With the growing knowledge of the immune effects of current blood
transfusions and limited data on the immune status of Thalassemia patients, a large study
addressing the complex interaction of these factors is needed. Khalid Hassan and coauthors were
found ouithe red cell alloimmunization in repeatedly transfused Thalassemia Major Patients in
Pakisthan. Red cell alloimmunization in routinely transfused patients of beta thalassemia major
was studied by Gupta et al., (2010). The present study was undertaken to estimate the incidence
of allo-immunization in multiply transfused thalassemics and to evaluate factors which may
influence the development of antibodies

Material and Methods:

cross-sectional descriptive study of antibody screening was conducted over one year period
from January 2010 to December 2010 at Smt. Gopabai Damani Blood Bank (Indian Red Cross
Society) Solapur, Maharashtra, India.

pretransfusion sera were also tested to determine their phenotype for the following blood
group systems: ABO; Rhesus (D, C, Eo c, and e); Kell (K, k), Kidd (Kpa, Kpb) and Duffy (Fya,
An antigen panel was used for the antibody screening procedure, where the serum was mixed
with saline suspended red cells in LISS Coombs gel card incubated at 37oC for 15 minutes.
Antibody screening at 4"C, 22oC and 37oC was carried out in a saline phase, by indirect
antiglobulin technique (IAT), using papain cystein, low ionic strength solution (LISS) and
polyethylene glycol (PEG).

All

Results:
A total of 74 patients were included in the study. 31 (31.82 %) patients were females and 43
(22.94%) males. The age of patients was ranged from 3 to 18 years. They had regular blood
transfusions during periods ranging from 3 to 18 years. The interval between blood transfusions
was l8-30 days.
Present study investigated 74 cases of multiply transfused thalassemia major patients for
development of alloantibodies against red cells by indirect antiglobulin test, using 3-red cell
panel, and when required ll-red cell panel. Anti-red cell alloantibodies were detected in 01
(0.74) patients, in male 0l (0.43%) and in female 00 (0.00%) patients. Demographic data of
alloimmunization patients have been shown in table 1. The results shows that the prevalence
percent of splenectomy in males 04 (1.72%) and in females 03 (0.93). All 74 patients with
alloimmunization were treated with prednisone, intravenous immunoglobulin and cyclosporine
A. Beside the above drugs; azathioprine was used for three of them.

Table-l

Sex snecific red cell a Ioimmunization

Tota
I
No.

Thalassemia

Major (%)

Thalassemia
Intermediate

Male

43

2s (10.7s)

(%\
r3 (s.5e)

Female
Patients

3l

2r(6.sr\

06

74

46 (30.04)

re (14.06)

Sex

fl.86)

positivitv prevalence

Thalassemi

Splenectomy

Minor (Prevalence
(%\
%\
04 (t.72)
05 (2.1s)
03 (0.93)
04 (r.24\
oe (6.66)

07 (s.18)

Red cell

alloimmunization
(Prevalence

ol

o/o)

(0.43)

00 (0.00)
o1 (0.74)

(Male +
Female)
2

proceeding of the National-Level Workshop cum Seminar on "Bio-Resources for Bio-Industries and
Economic Zoology", tanuary- 2011, Solapur, Maharashtra, INDIA. ISBN 81-903603-6-1
"l[$lllillffi&ul[illl

Discussion:
This is a study about red cell alloimmunization rate among B-major-Thalassemia patients on
regular blood transfusion. Post-storage leukodepleted blood was used for transfusion. It is not a
standard practice in our center to give phenotype-matched red cells to patients with thalassemia.
The use of phenotypematched blood is given only in patients who have developed alloantibodies.
Red blood cell alloimmunization was found in 01 (0.7a) patients. Our patients were treated with
immunosupressive drugs including prednisone, intravenous immunoglobulin, cyclosporine A and
azathioprine and now all of them are in healthy cgnditioq. Khalid Hassan et al. (2004) observed
that the Red cell alloimmunization in repeate/ly trandfused Thalassemia Major patients in
Pakistan, in British Thompson et at. (201t; st/died the.,Red cell alloimmunization in a diverse
population of transfused patients with thalassaemia. Walker et al. (1989) observed the
alloimmunization following blood transfusion. These observations on Red cell alloimmunization
are an important finding in patients with B-major-Thalassemia. Thalassemia major patients
managed by regular transfusion regimen may develop anti-red cell alloimmunization. If the
alloantibodies are hemolyzing in nature, transfusion reaction may occur, and provision of blood
thereafter requires matching of the relevant blood group in addition to 'ABO" and Rh 'D'
matching. The hemolyzing nature of antibodies should be determined in patients who develop
these antibodies, and transfusion should be arranged accordingly. Data regarding the impact of
platelet refractoriness on morbidity and mortality for thrombocytopenic patients are inconsistent.
Failure to achieve platelet counts greater than 5 X l0'il- significantly increases the probability of
life-threatening bleeding. The rate of red blood cell alloimmunization is relatively low in our
patients. The age at first blood transfusion and splenectomy were not statistically significant as
risk factors for alloimmunization in this study.
Acknowledgements:
The authors thank Dr. P.K. Joshi, Secretary and Dr. Rajiv Pradhan, Joint Secretary for their
excellent technical assistance as well as the doctors and technicians of Smt. Gopabai Damani
Blood Bank (Indian Red Cross Society) Solapur for their help in blood collection during this
study.

References:

Blumberg N. and Gettings K. F. (2003). WBC reduction of RBC transfusions is associated with
decreased incidence of RBC alloimmunization. Transfusion. 432 945-52.
Gupta R., Singh B., Rusia U. and Goyal S. (2010). Red Cell Alloimmunization In Routinely
Transfused Patients Of Beta Thalassemia Major. Int. J. Blood Trans. Ind. l(l):l-4.
Khalid Hassan., Muhammad Younus., Nadeem Ikram., Lubna Naseem. and Hassan Abbas
Zaheer. (2004). Red cell alloimmunization in repeatedly transfused Thalassemia Major
Patients. Int. J. Pathol. 2(l)z16-9.
Sirchia G.rZanella A., Panavicini A., Morelati F., Rebulla P. and Masera G. (1995). Red cell
.
alloantibodies in thalassemia major. Results of an Italian cooperative study. Transfusion.

252ll0-2.
Walker R. H., Lin D. T. and Hartrick M. B. (1989). Alloimmunization following blood
transfusion. Arch. Pathol. Lab. Med. ll3z 254-61.
Thompson A. A., Cunningham M.J., Singer S. T., Neufeld E. J., Vichinsky E., Yamashita R.,
Giardina P., Kim H. Y., Trachtenberg F. and Kwiatkowski J.L. (2011) Red cell
alloimmunization in a diverse population of transfused patients with thalassaemia. British
J. Haematol. 153(1): 121-8.
3

Proceeding of the National-Level Workshop cum Seminar on "Bio-Resources for Bio-Industries and
Economic Zoology", fanuary- 2011, Solapur, Maharashtra, INDIA. ISBN B1-903603-6-1
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